Research and Professional Enhancement GradResearch Live brings three minute research talks to The Cornerstone on Nov. 5 Graduate students share clear, three minute stories with one static slide. The event is free and open to the campus and the community.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 3, 2025) Graduate students will take the stage for the University of Kentucky’s GradResearch Live Three Minute Thesis final on Wednesday, Nov. 5, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Esports Theater at The Cornerstone. The evening is free and open to the campus community, as well as family and friends. If you are planning your week, you can view event details and plan your visit.
What is GradResearch Live
GradResearch Live is the campus showcase of the international Three Minute Thesis format. The challenge is straightforward to describe and engaging to watch. Each presenter has three minutes to tell a clear, compelling story about their research using one static slide for support. The structure keeps the focus on ideas, impact, and the people behind the work.
Meet the finalists
Please join us in congratulating our finalists. Each has earned a place on the stage through clear communication, curiosity, and hard work. We are proud of their achievements and invite you to cheer them on.
- Hammas Khalid, Mining Engineering
- Maddie Kushner, Psychology
- Tiffany Odita, Chemistry
- Alhaji Sesay, Geology
- Courtney Martin, Kinesiology and Health Promotion
- Alyson Ackerman, Chemistry
- Odianosen Ewah, Chemical Engineering
- Rebecca Hutchinson, Veterinary Science
- Ayesha Riaz, Communication
- Fatemeh Hamedi, Biomedical Engineering
- Elham Zokaei, Toxicology and Cancer Biology
- Damilola Petinrin, Chemistry
We celebrate their work and look forward to the stories they will share on stage.
Why is it worth your hour
Three-minute talks help listeners find the heart of a project without jargon. You will hear how questions in labs, studios, and field sites connect to real outcomes in classrooms, clinics, companies, and communities across Kentucky and beyond. Many attendees describe the hour as fast-moving and memorable, with takeaways that are easy to share with a colleague, a class, or a family member.
What you will experience
Expect a lively room and an audience that is ready to listen and ask thoughtful questions. Presenters speak without transitions, animations or props, which emphasizes the story and the speaker. The result is a series of short talks that are easy to follow and hard to forget. It is a simple format that rewards curiosity, whether you are familiar with the topic or hearing it for the first time.
Who should attend
This event is designed for everyone who enjoys big ideas made clear. Students will see how to communicate complex work in plain language. Faculty and staff will discover new projects across disciplines. Alumni, families, and community partners will leave with a stronger sense of how graduate research moves from insight to impact. If you are exploring graduate study, the evening offers a window into the questions that motivate our students and the skills they build along the way.
How to make the most of your visit
Consider arriving a few minutes early to find a seat and review the slide on screen before each talk begins. Listen for the core problem, the approach and the potential benefit. After the event, continue the conversation with a presenter or share a favorite insight with your class or team. If you are bringing a guest who is new to graduate research, this format is a welcoming place to start.
Event details
What: GradResearch Live final event
When: Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Where: Esports Theater at The Cornerstone
Who: Open to the campus and the community
If you are interested in attending or sharing the information with a colleague, please check the Graduate School event page for full details, accessibility information and updates.